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and SEVENTY years ago today ...

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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The French liner Normandie burned and capsized in NYC. One of the greatest of the "grand liners" - a model of speed and design.

France had fallen to Germany while the ship was in New York. USA claimed the Normandie as belligerent property, and renamed it USS Lafayette.

SS_Normandie_at_sea_01.jpg


During modifications for troop transport, the ship caught fire - likely a welding spark landing in the 100s of kapok filled life jackets stored in the first class lounge.

USS_Lafayette_1942.jpg


Sic transit gloria mundi.

Tom
 
amazing ship - as were they all.

Interestingly all those ships from the various countries were competing for the Blue Riband - fastest ship across the Atlantic. All of them had financial help from their respective governments to build them to achieve the goal. The governments justified this by saying that in case of war the ships could be used as troop carriers that didn't need escorts because of their speed (double purpose) In fact, they used so much coal at those speed that they would have quickly exhausted the coal supplies of the entire navy.

fascinating chunk of history - thanks!
 
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